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assault battery Homicide Personal Injury Slip & Fall Injury Traumatic Brain Injury Wrongful Death

Parents Arrested for Death of Three Year Old Daughter

Parents Arrested for Gruesome Death of Their Daughter

 

Most parents are overwhelmed with love and happiness when they become parents. The day that the bundle of joy arrives changes your life forever. It’s no longer just about you, you literally have to take care of another human being for at least eighteen years. Most parents would gladly do so. However, that isn’t always the case.

The parents of a three year old girl have now been arrested after the gruesome death of their poor child. The little girl was found severely beaten and malnourished on Saturday. The little girl weighed in at just fifteen pounds. The authorities came after a 911 call from the little girl’s uncle.

The police report stated that the paramedics were called to a home near U.S. 60 and Dysart Road. That is when they found the poor child, “completely unresponsive…with no signs of life”.  How truly tragic this is. I hope whoever did this gets what they deserve and that they feel the hunger and pain that this poor baby felt.

The little girl was later identified as Alexandra. She was later declared dead at the Del Webb Hospital.

Her parents, Carlos T. Cruz who is twenty-eight years old, and thirty-six year old Rosemary Velazco are now facing child abuse charges, as well as murder charges, depending on what the investigation proves.

The Surprise Police Department report stated that the little girl’s body had bruises and lacerations in various stages of healing. There was evidence of sexual abuse as well as a one-inch cut to her little forehead that exposed her skull, she also probably had a broken knee. What kind of monsters does this to anyone?! Especially a defenseless child?!

 

Police Search Parent’s Home of Little Girl’s Death

 

After serving a search warrant at the home, the police said that they had found the girl as well as her six year old older brother (who was unharmed, luckily). The also found out that the children both lived in the same room as their parents.

The little girl’s bed was wobbly and made out of “about eight pieces of small wood” which was only two foot by two foot big, according to the report. There was a paint can in the room that the authorities believed was the children’s toilet.

The conditions that these children survived in was heartbreaking. The police also said that the bedroom door did not have a handle, however they used a padlock that they had installed and could only be opened and locked from the outside of the door. The key to the lock was put up where the children could not reach it. Those poor children.

Most families care about the children’s needs before their own, however not in this home. The no count parents made sure to stock their freezer with plenty of beer but the detectives said that there was very little food in the refrigerator.

The police of course interviewed the couple and in the “mother’s” interview she claimed that her husband had an anger problem and “would lose his temper with the children when he became frustrated”.  Ok, fair enough…why didn’t you leave? Your children’s safety should always be the number one priority.

The police report also suggested that the father would actually beat the little girl with one of his two belts. The report also said that he ” didn’t care where the belt struck the girl’s body”.

The father, who only speaks Spanish, told the police investigator that he was not aware of the little girl’s injuries. He also claimed to “not knowing the truth” and told the authorities to “ask his wife”.

The mother also had more to tell the authorities saying that she would also whip the girl, however she would “measure her strength” so that the girl wouldn’t be knocked down. Right, because a little three year old needs to be spanked constantly.

The six year old little boy has been placed in a licensed foster home according to the Department of Child Services.

The bond for the Cruz and for Velazco was set for $500,000.

Both parents could face murder charges, it just depends on how the investigation goes and what pops up.

Criminal Defense Cases

A verbal altercation in a bar or at your own home could be misconstrued as an assault charge. If you are accused of starting a bar fight or engaging in domestic violence, secure experienced legal help immediately. Understandably, you may feel tempted to explain your side of the story to law enforcement. But, any details you provide could be used against you.

 

At the Phoenix Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, we will act quickly to develop an effective defense strategy against battery and assault charges. Comprised of former prosecutors with comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, our team knows firsthand how prosecutors develop cases against individuals suspected of criminal assault. We are prepared to stay ahead of the prosecution through identifying any procedural errors, contradictory evidence or violations of your civil rights.

 

Types of Assault Cases

The highly skilled Attorneys at the Phoenix Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC come equipped with a substantial background in defending individuals throughout Arizona and the greater Phoenix Metropolitan area who have been accused of offenses ranging from simple assault to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. These offenses may include:

 

  • Domestic Violence
  • Spousal Abuse
  • Child Abuse
  • Sexual Assault
  • Assault and Battery
  • Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

 

Choosing an Effective Assault Defense Strategy

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC will devote the right resources to develop an effective defense strategy against any damaging charges. They will meet with any eyewitnesses to understand the series of events before the alleged criminal activity occurred. We are prepared to craft a strategy around self-defense, if you were in fear of your life. They will also seek to illustrate any weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence or contradictory statements from the plaintiff. When appropriate, we work with psychologists to illustrate the plaintiff’s state of mind and tendency to exaggerate or lie. Your case will be properly analyzed from every angle possible. If your civil rights were violated or procedural errors were made, we will fight for an acquittal.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Assault Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Assault, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

Categories
assault Homicide Personal Injury Uncategorized Wrongful Death

Phoenix Struggles With Murders

Murder in Phoenix

Owning a family business has to be stressful. There’s a lot of hours that goes into a business and as well as a lot of together time that might not be good for some families. No matter what you shouldn’t murder your family. So before starting a venture, you might want to be sure that you all can stand to be around each other, even when things get stressful.

According to the police, five relatives have been found dead. This was due to a suspected murder/suicide in a Phoenix home. Police think that the fight was over the family’s limo business.

The officers say there were three of the brothers, their mother, and one of the men’s wife was all shot to death inside of the home. The police think that one of the brothers, fifty year old Driss Diaeddinn had shot the other four and then turned the gun to himself.

His brothers: thirty-eight year old, Reda Diaeddinn and fifty-six year old, Dodi Fayed were found dead in one area of the house.

The seventy-six year old mother, Kenza Benzakour and his sister in law, twenty-six year old MEriem Ben Yahia were also among those of the dead.

Family Shooting

Luckily his wife, a second female relative and two children managed to get away from the incident unharmed.

According to Sgt. Trent Crump, the victims were in an argument over the family owned business then the shooting began.

The family owns a Phoenix limousine company.

Luckily the suspect’s wife escaped with the two children, a three year old and an infant, and was able to call the police to report the incident. Cops heard the gunshots in the background when the woman was making the call to them.

The officers rushed to the scene and the house stayed barricaded for hours. Witnesses said that they could hear sounds of “muted gunshots” just an hour after the standoff began.

After an hour of waiting, a second female was able to escape the murder scene. She was “distraught” after her escaped and told the authorities that she was hiding in a bathroom.

The family had origins in Morocco so during the HOURS of standoff the police had used a megaphone and was speaking Arabic to try to communicate to anyone that might be alive or the suspect.

The SWAT team didn’t waste any time, they sent in robots to search it before the dogs and officers entered the home.

Police are doing a thorough search to see if the family had a history of domestic violence. Neighbors say that the family as “invisible”.

Phoenix Homicide Lawyer

Criminal Defense Cases

If you have been charged with murder, the attorney you choose to defend you will likely be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Obtaining a strong defense could be the difference between freedom and a life behind bars.

 

At the Phoenix based Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, you will find the experienced, dedicated and highly skilled trial attorneys you need to protect your rights. Each of our attorneys made a conscious decision to become a criminal defense lawyer. We could have chosen any other field of law, but defending the freedom and liberty of people who are facing the possibility of incarceration was our first choice. We believe strongly that skilled and passionate defense attorneys can make a difference in the lives of their clients. We go into every case feeling that we can make that difference.

 

Hiring the Right Homicide Lawyer in Phoenix

Having a skilled homicide defense attorney is important in any criminal case, but it is even more critical in a murder case. To properly defend a client against a murder charge, a defense lawyer must be prepared to effectively challenge the prosecution’s evidence. To do so, a Phoenix Murder Defense Attorney must be prepared to effectively cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses, including any expert witnesses.

 

Expert Witnesses

In some cases, a Phoenix Homicide Defense Attorney may need to use expert witnesses on behalf of the defendant to challenge forensic evidence, ballistics evidence and other scientific evidence presented by the prosecution. We are prepared to do so and have worked with expert witnesses in the past to provide a vigorous defense on our clients’ behalf.

 

In addition to fighting your charges at trial (or seeking a case dismissal for lack of probable cause), we can also negotiate with the prosecution to seek a favorable plea agreement. A plea agreement might involve a plea to a lesser offense or an agreement on sentencing that will significantly reduce the penalties you face.

 

Homicide Defense Strategy

We will take the time to talk to witnesses, investigate what really happened in your case, understand what evidence is in the prosecution’s possession, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and determine if the police violated your constitutional rights or made other critical errors that can be used to your advantage.

We are committed to raising a strong and comprehensive defense on your behalf. Depending on the facts of your case, the following defenses and strategies may be helpful:

 

  • Self-Defense
  • Insanity
  • Mistaken Identity
  • Suppression of Evidence
  • Challenging DNA, Fingerprint Evidence and other Forensic Evidence
  • Challenging Ballistics Evidence (Relating to Firearms and Bullets)
  • Challenging the Reliability of an Eyewitness
  • Challenging Whether the Evidence Sustains a Murder Conviction
  • Negotiation with the Prosecution to Determine if a Plea Agreement Could

Significantly Minimize the Charges or Penalties you Face

 

We have defended clients against murder charges and other felony violent crimes. You can be confident that you will have a highly skilled and dedicated defense lawyer who will advise you of your rights, help explain the process and work diligently to seek the best possible outcome on your behalf.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Homicide Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Homicide, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
668 N 44th St. Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

Categories
Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Uncategorized Wrongful Death

Car Incidents Leading to Death

Man Found Dead in Burning Car

People are getting so cruel nowdays. Police recently found a man inside of a trunk of a burning car.

The police officers as well as the firefighters found forty year old, Dustin Jones inside of the trunk of an abandoned car after a police chase.

The vehicle was a white Honda Civic which belonged to Jones. The car was taken by unknown suspects. Talk about a horrible situation.

The officers were called to the scene at Cave Creek Road around 3:30 in the morning on March 30th. This was for a report of a person being threatened with a gun. How scary that must have been for Jones.

The vehicle involved was spotted at a local service station at Cave Creek and Beardsley Roads. The officers tried to do a traffic stop to get to the suspect but that didn’t work. They then started a car chase when the driver fled from the officers and turned west on Grovers Avenue.

The officers tried to quickly catch up with the suspect but they didn’t’ catch up with him until the 2200 block of West Grovers Avenue and then found that the car was engulfed in flames. The car’s two suspects fled on foot. The Phoenix firefighters were able to put the fire out, however they then found a dead body in the trunk.

Homicide in Alley

Another homicide in Phoenix. The police say that a twenty-seven year old man was found dead in an alley in Phoenix. He was found near Oak and 12th streets.

The Police were called to the scene around 7:30 in the morning.

Police are calling this a homicide and say that the circumstances around the victims death are “suspicious” and they will continue to investigate.

The victim’s name hasn’t been released at this time.

Phoenix Manslaughter Lawyer

At the Phoenix based Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, we have defended many clients charged with a violent crime, including murder charges and other high-level violent crimes. We can provide the strong defense you need if you have been charged with voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.

If you discovered your spouse in bed with a lover and as a result killed your spouse in a sudden rage, you may have been charged with first-degree murder. However, you may only be guilty of voluntary manslaughter, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of 11 years, as opposed to a life sentence.

Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice. The term malice is used in a highly technical sense and does not simply imply a feeling of anger.

 

Types of Manslaughter Defenses

If you have been charged with murder and the evidence is stacked against you to show that you did unlawfully kill another person, seeking a conviction to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter may make a significant difference in your case.

To effectively raise such a defense, you must be able to establish that you were provoked, that a reasonable person in such a situation might be similarly provoked to kill, and that you did not have sufficient time to cool off and further contemplate your actions. If retained as your counsel, we will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to determine which defense strategy gives you the best opportunity to protect your freedom.

 

Types of Manslaughter Cases in Phoenix

In the state of Arizona, you may be charged with involuntary manslaughter under two separate circumstances:

  • If you committed a crime (other than a felony) and unintentionally caused the

death of another person.

  • If you were engaged in a lawful act that might cause death and acted without

“due caution and circumspection.”

 

Manslaughter Conviction and Sentencing

A conviction for involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment. If you caused the unintentional death of another person and you were not committing a crime, it is not sufficient for the prosecution to allege that you made a mistake. The phrase “without due cause and circumspection” implies something more than a simple mistake. Our Phoenix Attorneys can raise a number of issues and defenses on your behalf to raise the strong defense you need. A plea to a lesser offense or a plea that allows you to avoid a criminal conviction may be possible depending on the facts of your case. If you choose to fight your charges at trial, we have the skilled trial lawyers to aggressively defend your rights in the courtroom.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Manslaughter Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Manslaughter, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

Categories
assault battery Narcotics Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury

Family Homicide

Man Charges With Killing Grandmother Over House Rules

A man pleaded guilty for killing his grandmother last year. He brutally beat her with a shovel and then slit her throat. All of this because of some strict house rules which were curfew rules and how much he had to pay her for rent.

Apparently the man has a violent past. According to the Maricopa County Prosecutors, Jason Eric Howell had also pleaded guilty to child abuse as well as aggravated assault charges for another case he was involved in. The sentencing for that will be this coming July 1st.

Forty year old Jason Howell, was at first charged with “first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, hindering prosecution, and abandoning a body”.

The court records show that Jason had told the police that he had first tried to kill his grandmother, Helen Jean Lee who was seventy-eight years old, in her sleep. However he stopped when she woke up.

Not but a couple days later, Jason then attacked his grandmother with a shovel. He then violently slit her throat. Afterwards he disposed of her body in the desert.

Later, Jason led the investigators straight to his grandmother’s corpse.

Jason’s Grandmother was Missing for Days

Someone had reported the elderly woman missing just days before they found the body. When they went to the grandmother’s home they found a “bloody crime scene” inside of the house.

The police were not strangers to Jason’s home, they had been out on a few calls there before for Jason had hallucinations and “erratic behavior and violent tendencies” that the police had to respond to.

On the same day that his grandmother was reported missing, Jason was arrested on several charges which include: assaulting a police officer as well as kidnapping.

Criminal Defense Cases

If you are suspected of murder, aggravated assault or another violent crime, an experienced criminal defense attorney can secure your rights. A skilled lawyer will not only look for ways to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed but will also focus on developing an effective criminal defense trial strategy. At Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, we have a substantial background defending clients accused of violent crimes in the state of Arizona and the greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Our lead criminal defense attorney, Daniel Perlman, is a former prosecutor who previously pursued charges against individuals suspected of violent crimes. Mr. Perlman and the entire Perlman Law Group offer a comprehensive view of the criminal justice system and know the right steps to take in developing a defense strategy while seeking to mitigate any potential damage.

Our ability to work with the facts in plea negotiations can turn a weak defense into a strong one. In our experience, a creative approach to your defense strategy can result in a sentence of probation or work release, even on a felony plea.

Effective Defensive Strategy for Violent Crimes

As a starting point for an effective defense strategy, we will evaluate the police report, witness statements and any physical evidence. Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC takes its approach a step further through identifying creative solutions by focusing on the actual risk of punishment you are currently facing. The threat of prison will probably be based as much on your prior record as it will be on the facts of the current criminal charges.

Our firm handles cases involving all types of Violent Crime allegations, including:

  • Assault and Assault with a Deadly Weapon
  • Murder, Attempted Murder and Manslaughter
  • Weapons Offenses
  • Armed Robbery
  • Kidnapping and False Imprisonment
  • Criminal Threats
  • Gang-Related Crimes
  • Resisting Arrest and Assault on an Officer
  • Domestic Violence

If weaknesses in the government’s case mean that you stand a good chance of success at trial, we will aggressively represent your interests before a jury. If the evidence against you makes a trial too risky, we will advise you and work with all parties — including prosecutors, probation officers, court services and community agencies — to show that you are an excellent candidate for favorable treatment.

Schedule a Free Consultation –  Phoenix Violent Crimes lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
2942 N. 24th St.
Suite# 114-562
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

Categories
assault battery Homicide Personal Injury

Homicide By Hammer

Woman Gets Life In Prison for Killing Husband

Spouse abuse comes in many forms, it’s not every day that you hear about a woman killing her husband with a hammer though. A judge ruled Friday that an Arizona woman will spend the rest of her life in prison for brutally killing her husband with a hammer. She was also denied a chance at parole.

Judge’s Ruling for Woman who Killed Husband with Hammer

The jury that convicted Marissa Devault in the January 2009 killing of Dale Harrell had spared her the death penalty in late April and instead handed down a life sentence. It was up to a judge to formally impose the sentence and decide whether Devault would have a chance at parole.

Even though DeVault’s three daughters gave some pretty heartfelt pleas for lenience for their mother, the judge still picked the harsher punishment.

Superior Court Judge Roland Steinle, didn’t believe Devault’s claim of domestic abuse, he believed that she just killed her husband out of greed. He didn’t think she was remorseful and claimed that there was nothing in the record that showed that she deserved parole.

The prosecutors believe that the thirty six year old Devault killed her husband in a failed attempt to collect the life insurance policy. She needed to repay about $300,000 of debt from her boyfriend. According to Devault however, she told the police that she only killed her husband in self defense. He “physically” and “sexually” abused her in the past.

Her husbands passing was slow, the thirty-four year old didn’t die until after a month of being with hospice due to complications from his head injuries.

 

Phoenix Homicide Lawyer

Criminal Defense Cases

If you have been charged with murder, the attorney you choose to defend you will likely be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Obtaining a strong defense could be the difference between freedom and a life behind bars.

 

At the Phoenix based Offices of Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC, you will find the experienced, dedicated and highly skilled trial attorneys you need to protect your rights. Each of our attorneys made a conscious decision to become a criminal defense lawyer. We could have chosen any other field of law, but defending the freedom and liberty of people who are facing the possibility of incarceration was our first choice. We believe strongly that skilled and passionate defense attorneys can make a difference in the lives of their clients. We go into every case feeling that we can make that difference.

 

Hiring the Right Homicide Lawyer in Phoenix

Having a skilled homicide defense attorney is important in any criminal case, but it is even more critical in a murder case. To properly defend a client against a murder charge, a defense lawyer must be prepared to effectively challenge the prosecution’s evidence. To do so, a Phoenix Murder Defense Attorney must be prepared to effectively cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses, including any expert witnesses.

 

Expert Witnesses

In some cases, a Phoenix Homicide Defense Attorney may need to use expert witnesses on behalf of the defendant to challenge forensic evidence, ballistics evidence and other scientific evidence presented by the prosecution. We are prepared to do so and have worked with expert witnesses in the past to provide a vigorous defense on our clients’ behalf.

 

In addition to fighting your charges at trial (or seeking a case dismissal for lack of probable cause), we can also negotiate with the prosecution to seek a favorable plea agreement. A plea agreement might involve a plea to a lesser offense or an agreement on sentencing that will significantly reduce the penalties you face.

 

Homicide Defense Strategy

We will take the time to talk to witnesses, investigate what really happened in your case, understand what evidence is in the prosecution’s possession, look for holes in the prosecution’s case, and determine if the police violated your constitutional rights or made other critical errors that can be used to your advantage.

We are committed to raising a strong and comprehensive defense on your behalf. Depending on the facts of your case, the following defenses and strategies may be helpful:

 

  • Self-Defense
  • Insanity
  • Mistaken Identity
  • Suppression of Evidence
  • Challenging DNA, Fingerprint Evidence and other Forensic Evidence
  • Challenging Ballistics Evidence (Relating to Firearms and Bullets)
  • Challenging the Reliability of an Eyewitness
  • Challenging Whether the Evidence Sustains a Murder Conviction
  • Negotiation with the Prosecution to Determine if a Plea Agreement Could

Significantly Minimize the Charges or Penalties you Face

 

We have defended clients against murder charges and other felony violent crimes. You can be confident that you will have a highly skilled and dedicated defense lawyer who will advise you of your rights, help explain the process and work diligently to seek the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Schedule a Free Consultation – Phoenix Homicide Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been accused of a Violent Crime such as Homicide, contact a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation. With a wealth of expertise, a commitment to integrity and a passion for defense, the Attorneys at Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC – Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers – are here to support you with your case. We believe every defendant has the right to a solid defense. Call us today for a free initial consultation at 480-351-6445.

 

 

Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC
2942 N. 24th St.
Suite# 114-562
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 351-6445
https://www.criminaldefenselawyers.me

Categories
assault battery Car Accident felony Homicide Narcotics Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Spinal Cord Injury Traumatic Brain Injury Truck Accident Wrongful Death

Investigating Homicide Cases

Police Still Searching for Homicide Suspects

Even though it’s been more than a year since a security guard has lost his life due to being shot and killed, police are still trying to find justice for the fallen security guard’s death. The security guard had been killed outside of an West Phoenix apartment complex. Police are still needing helping identifying two suspects.

The Phoenix Police officers found fifty-nine year old, Jeffery Bellemare, suffering from gunshot wounds. This was on November 29, 2013 at the Graybriar Condominiums. This is near the 53rd Avenue and Indian School Road. Sadly, Bellemare died at the scene.

Police Searching for Two Suspects in Security Guard’s Shooting

According to the police, there was a man and a woman that could be seen running from the area. They fled into an older model sedan vehicle. Police have released sketches of what the two suspects might look like. They hope that someone in the public would be willing to come forth if they know these people, or someone might have seen them around, just anything to go on really.

Police say that the vehicle had a vinyl top and could have been damaged in the front-end due to a front end incident that was prior to the shooting. The Phoenix Police said that the detectives have been working on this case for quite some time. It must be awful hard on these officers, not having much to go on.

If anyone has any information about the shooting or could possibly identify the two suspects, please do so. You can contact the Silent Witness program at 480-WITNESS or even the Phoenix Police Department.  If that was a friend of yours or a loved one, you would want justice. The fallen security guard’s family definitely deserves some justice and peace of mind over this. So, please help if you can.

Wrong Way Crash Ends Up in Homicide Case

Authorities say a Utah man has been arrested in connection with a wrong-way crash in western Arizona that killed three California women in another vehicle.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials say 49-year-old Dana Michael Cavanaugh of Washington, Utah, has been booked into jail on suspicion of homicide.

They’re still trying to determine if Cavanaugh was driving impaired at the time of Saturday’s crash on Interstate 10 east of Quartzsite.

It was unclear Monday if Cavanaugh has an attorney yet.

DPS officials say a vehicle entered the interstate going the wrong way and traveled about 500 feet before colliding head-on with another car.

A 55-year-old woman and two 31-year-old women were killed.

They are identified as: Caitlin M. Cascella, 31; Christine A. Bradbury, 31; and Susan C. Bradbury, 55 all from Riverside, Calif.

Mother Faces Homicide Charges

The mother of two children found dead inside a car in Superior has been arrested on homicide charges, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office says.

PCSO says a 2-year-old boy and 10-month-old girl were found strapped to car seats inside a car Monday night near U.S. 60 and Mary Drive.

Both of the children are dead.

The children’s mother, 20-year-old Brittany Velasquez, faces two counts of murder, according to the sheriff’s office.

PCSO’s Statement:

Evidence on scene indicated foul play.

Officials from the Superior Police Department said officers had been out to Velasquez’s home seven or eight times throughout the past few years, including a January incident that was reported to the Department of Child Safety.

DCS confirmed that it had two prior reports of neglect involving Velasquez and her children: In January and in October 2016. Neither instance resulted in action from DCS, which concluded there was no evidence of abuse or neglect despite having concerns about Velasquez’s mental health.

The sheriff’s office is still investigating.

Prison Homicide

A Tucson-area man serving a 22-year sentence for a double murder has died in state prison in what authorities say is a suspected homicide.

Charlie M. Wooden, 34, was found unresponsive in his assigned bunk Monday night at a medium security state prison complex in Buckeye, authorities said. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Arizona Department of Corrections investigators “suspect foul play was involved and have identified potential suspects,” the department said in a news release Tuesday.

Arizona Department Statement:

While the investigation is ongoing, the department intends to fully pursue criminal prosecution in this case.

Wooden was sentenced to prison in 2017 for two counts of second-degree murder in the 2013 deaths of Vanessa Buster, 22, and Pluma-Blanca Jose manual Navarro Cazares, 23.

The victims were residents of Three Points west of Tucson. Wooden also was known to have lived in the Three Points area, and well as in the Drexel Heights area, according to Star archives.

Homicide Suspect

Two Flagstaff men were arrested Thursday after a woman was shot and killed Wednesday night in east Flagstaff, Flagstaff Police Department officials said.

Kinsey Beebe, 19, was found shot and in critical condition Wednesday night when officers responded to a call about shots fired near the 1900 block of east Arrowhead Avenue at approximately 11:30 p.m., Flagstaff Police spokesman Sgt. Cory Runge said in a press release.

Beebe was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center, where she died of her injuries.

Approximately half an hour after Beebe was found shot, police receive another call of shots fired in the area of North Sanford Place and North Miranda Way, Runge said. Police determined it had been a drive-by shooting at an occupied residential structure, but no one was injured.

First Degree Murder

At 2 a.m. Thursday, Adonis Encinas Velarde, 20, turned himself in and was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, kidnapping, disorderly conduct with a weapon, discharging a weapon in city limits, drive-by shooting of an occupied structure, and assisting a criminal street gang, Runge said.

Velarde told police he witnessed the murder of Beebe and was the person who fired the gun in the drive-by shooting, Runge said.

At approximately 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Abraham Puentes Ortiz, 22, was found and arrested at the 700 block of South Blackbird Roost. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, kidnapping, disorderly conduct with a weapon, discharging a weapon in city limits, drive-by shooting of an occupied structure, and assisting a criminal street gang, Runge said.

Ortiz told police he shot Beebe three times and drove the vehicle in the drive-by shooting, Runge said.

Police Investigate Homicide

The men allegedly told police they had been drinking with Beebe at the 1900 block of east Arrowhead Avenue. During their time there, the men went outside and fired one shot from an altered Ruger handgun with the serial number removed, Runge said.

Beebe confronted the men about the shooting because there were other people inside the house. The men then placed the gun inside the home and went for a walk. When they returned, they found out Beebe had hidden the gun. The three got in an argument and Beebe made a phone call, Runge said.

Ortiz, who was armed with a Glock handgun, shot Beebe in the head and neck three times, Runge said.

The men fled the scene in a minivan, which had an AR-15 rifle inside, Runge said. Velarde fired a gun at an occupied structure during the drive away from where Beebe was murdered.

Velarde then fled from Ortiz because he believed Ortiz would kill him next, Runge said. Velarde then surrendered himself to police.

When police located Ortiz, he was armed with a Glock handgun and police located an AR-15 in his residence.

Police believe they have arrested all suspects in the case and there is no ongoing threat to the public, Runge said.

 

 

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